What kind of beverages do you drink? Many can irritate the bladder - soda, coffee, caffeinated tea, juices. Try not the drink caffeine after 2 or 3 in the afternoon, especially those kinds. It can help to wean yourself onto water, at least after early afternoon. It can always help to have it checked out by your Dr, too, in case you have any kind of infection.

Try to not do anything too stimulating before you fall asleep - it helps to set the mood (dim lighting, quiet noises, etc.) - crossword puzzles keep your brain awake and books, depending on what they are, can engage your brain in too much excitement.

Melatonin is a bust in my opinion - there's no regulation on how much is in those capsules, and if your body will respond to it in pill form - try to make your body do that on it's own. Valerian is a natural root that can help, but with all sleep remedies the effects can wear off after a time.

It helps if you have a ritual to go to sleep at night - your brain will get used to it and after a time (weeks, months, depends on your body) it will associate this with "I am going to sleep now". For example, I take a nice hot shower, cozy up, listen to some relaxing music, then snuggle up for sleep. I'm a chronic insomniac and it does not always work, BUT - it helps a lot. I insist on sticking to my 'ritual' to keep my body on track, even when it's being stubborn. Medication can be a cause for insomnia, so if you're taking something you may also want to check that with your Dr.

Dreams can by cryptic. The best one to translate them would be you - you know your life best. I imagine torturing cats isn't something you would do. A difficult issue you are trying to get away from or vanquish, that's been persistent and wily in your life. You don't want to do it but you still have the need to even though it horrifies you - or you're ashamed of something in your life that you're struggling with and feel the need to do away with or hide it. Your brain isn't telling you to kill cats, it's interpreting your subconscious in an odd way (brains do that).

It can be hard to cope with nightmares - but your brain is trying to cope with something occurring in your life. As disturbing as they are, they will work themselves out eventually.